Method and apparatus for marking fabrics



Nov. 1, 1938. w. G. WOLKAN METHOD AND APPARATiJS FOR MARKING FABRICS Filed 001;. 31, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 1, 1938. w. G WOLKAN 2,135,228

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MARKING FABRICS Fild Oct. 31, 1936 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 M iv Nov. 1, 1938 .w. G. WOLKAN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MARKING FABRICS Filed Oct. 51, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 v 3 wue/Mov Patented Nov l; 193s UNITED .STATES PATENT caries METHOD AND FOR MARKING FAB Walter G. Wolkan, Cincinnati, Ohio Application October 31, 1936, Serial No. 108,632

12 Claim.

tending through the layers where the mark is desired to be located. This type of machine is objectionable inasmuch as the services of a plurality of operators are required to sever the marking thread between each layer or sheet of fabric and special care must be exercised to prevent the withdrawal of the threads both before and after they are cut. Also the thread extends through the material and after it is sevcred; only the end of the thread is viewable which renders the mark particularly difiicult to discern.

The primary object of the present invention resides in the provision of a marking machine which will avoid the objections set forth above and at the same time produce a much superior mark in a quick and easier manner.

A second object of the invention rests in the construction of a marking machine which will make use of a thick, creamy fluid as a marking medium, the fluid being adapted to dry after a comparatively short time to leave a deposit in the goods which deposit is readily and completely removable by brushing or by washing the fabric in a suitable solvent.

A further object of the invention resides in the employment of a hollow needle which penetrates the layers of fabric and through which the marking fluid is forced under pressure, the fluid flowing out 'of the needle, preferably as it is withdrawn, and into the opening made by the spreading of the threads of the fabric during the insertion operation of the needle.

-A still further object resides in the provision of a clamping head which is employed to exert compressing forces to the layers of fabric around the location where the mark is to be-made, the clamping force being applied prior to the insertion of the marking needle to prevent the marking fluid from flowing out of the needle during insertion and from being absorbed by the fabric in the vicinity of the opening formed by the needle. I

with these and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel features of construction and arrangement of parts as pointed out in the following description which is to be taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating one embodiment of this invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a marking device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken through the upper portion of the machine and showing cert portions thereof in side elevation; Fig. 3 is a detail horizontal sectional view, the plane of the section being indicated by the line IIIIII of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detail vertical sectional view on the line IV-.lV of Fig. 2 and shows a tank employed for the storage of marking fluid in section;

Fig. 5 is another horizontal section taken on v the plane indicated by the line VV of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale of the clamping head and needle supporting mechanism;

Fig. '7 is a detail horizontal sectional view taken through a valve used to automatically control the flow of fluid to the needle, the plane of the section being indicated by the line V1I-VII of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section on an enlarged scale of the needle and its guiding mechanism on the. plane indicated by the line VIIIVIII of Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a modified type of needle;

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view showing the clamping head in operative position on a pile of fabric and the needle in itsinserted position.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the completed marking device is designated generally by the numeral l. A supporting frame 2 constructed of wood or other suitable material is provided and at its upper end carries a flat table 3 for the reception of the pile of fabric to be operated upon. Secured to the table near the rear portion thereof is a metallic bracket memher 4 which arises from the table and is curved lar guide member 9 which is held in an elevated position by a spring l0 positioned between an annular enlargement ll provided at the upper end of the member 9 and a shoulder I2 formed internally of the boss I. A set screw Ila is inserted into the edge of the enlargement II and the outer end projects into a slot 8a formed in the housing 8 to prevent the member 9 from rotating.

The guide member 9 is threaded adjacent its lower end and a nut I3 is provided below the boss I to limit the extent of upward-movement of the guide. Supportedby the member 9 at its lower end is the material clamping head M which includes an upper plate 95 secured to the member 9 by the lock nuts i6, and a lower plate ill, preferably constructed of glass, which is secured in spaced relation to the upper plate by the corner bolts it. A sheet metal frame it may be employed to reenforce the glass plate ill to prevent premature breakage thereof. Below the threaded portion of the guide member, the same is reduced as at 29 and extends through an opening provided in the lower plate to the lower surface thereof.

To move the clamping head i downward to a clamping position, the bracket member l pivotally carries as a lever member 22 which is forked at its forward end to receive the member between the upper lock nut it and the nut The rear end of the lever is bifurcated as at to pivotally connect with a tie bar which extends vertically and connects at its lower end with operating lever Eli. Thv lever is fuicrunied rmediate ends to the frame member and at its outer end is provided with a foot engaging pedal ill. A tension spring 28 earn nected with the lever and the frame serves to hold the lever in an elevated position at its for-- ward end. When the operator of the machine depresses the pedal 2?, the rear end or the lever 22 is raised which results in lowering the forward end. Since the fork engages the clamping head i l, corresponding movement is transmitted thereto and any material which is positioned on the table below the head is clamped between these two members.

Vertically extending strips 25) are positioned on either side of the lever at both ends to preclude undesired lateral movement on the part of this lever.

Arranged for sliding movement in the guide member is a hollow, needle carrying rod which is connected at its upper end to an upper housing member The latter member is positioned for sliding movement on the outside of the lower housing ii and has a set screw threaded through the lower end of the side wall into the slot below the set screw lid. This arrangement of set screws keeps the members 3i and Eli from turning relative to one another. The screw 3? being positioned below the screw i la causes the upper housing and the mechanism connected therewith to move downward in unison with the clamping head i when it is lowered.

Provided within the upper housing 35 and surrounding the upper portion of the hollow rod 3% is a compression type of coil spring This spring extends between the top of the guide member '5 and the under side of the top wall of the housing 35 and is employed to permit additional downward movement on the part of the housing 3i and the needle carrying rod 30 after the clamping head reaches its clamp position.

A hand operated lever 34 is fulcrumed at its rear end to an upstanding lug 35 provided on the horizontal portion of the bracket 4. Intermediate its ends, the lever is slotted to receive the housing 3| and pivot studs 36 threaded into the sides of the lever project into openings formed in the housing 39 to pivotally lock these two members together for vertical movement. The outer end of the lever 36 is provided with a hand grip 34311 which when grasped and forced down by the operator, results in lowering the housing at and the needle carrying rod 30 against the action of the spring 33.

A tubular marking needle St is secured in fluidtight relationship in the lower end of the hollow rod Bil. This needle extends downwardly into the reduced lower end of the member 9 which closely conforms in internal diameter to the external diameter of the needle and is reenforced and guided thereby.

Dual fluid outlets Ellie are formed. in the lower portion of the needle adjacent the point. desired number of these openings may be employed, two being shown for purposes of illustration only. Connected to the upper end of the rod by a nipple 3? is an automatically actuated, needle type control valve the inlet side of the valve being connected by a section of flexible hose or tubing with a pipe lil leading from a fluid storage drum ll. The valve includes a body 12 in which is formed a seat adapted to be engaged by the inner tapered end or a valve stem 16 for the regulated passage or" fluid from the inlet to the outlet sides of the valve. Multiple lead threads iii are provided on the stern and cooperate with similar threads iorined in the body oi the valve to move the inner end or" the stern toward and away from the seat when the stem is turned. To provide for the automatic actuation of the valve, the outer end of the stern has keyed thereto a laterally projecting arm 33 which is connected to the clamping or presser head by a rod fi l. It will thus be seen that after the head Ml is moved to a clamping position, continued downward movement on the part of the housing ill and the valve til will result in turning the valve stern axially, thereby moving the inner tapered end away from the seat and providing for fluid flow through the valve to the hollow rod and the needle A quick flow of the fluid is desirable, therefore, a valved pipe line communicating with the storage drum above the level of the fluid contained therein is connected with a suitable source (not shown) of compressed air. The outlet pipe for the fluid Any till

under pressure is also provided with a control valve l?) to positively shut off the flow of fluid to the tubing 39 when desired.

and the mechanism carried thereby, including the needle, downward, causing the needle to completely pierce each layer or the fabric until it assumes the position shown in Fig. ill. The downward movement of the valve 3%, after the clamping head comes to rest as previously described, results in opening the valve and permitting fluid under pressure to flow to the needle. After the needle completely penetrates the fabric pile, the point is embedded in a leather or other suitable composition insert- 50 provided in connection with the table. This prevents fluid flow from the needle while in-this position. As the needle is withdrawn from the fabric, the marking fluid will be forced under pressure through the openings in the point to completely fill the openings in the fabric caused by the penetration of the needle. The final stage- In the modified type of needle shown in Fig. 9,

the point member 5| is made separate from the tubular shank 52. A wire 53 secured at its lower end to the point member 5| extends upwardly through the shank and has its upper end secured to the center of a disk 54. A coil spring 55 is arranged between the under side of the disk and an internal shoulder formed in the needle supporting member 56 to exert an upward pull on the member 5|. The upper edge of the point member 5| is so formed as to provide a fluid-tight seal with the lower edge of the shank. It will be seen that as this needle is being inserted into the fabric, the member 5|. is held against the shank, preventing fluid flow through the joint between these members. When the direction of movement is reversed to withdraw the needle, the friction between the fabric and the lower end of the needle causes a slight separation between the shank and point member to permit fluid to flow preferably of an evaporable fluid to which has been added a powdered chalk-like material. Other suitable ingredients may be added to cause a more perfect suspension of the chalk-like material in the liquid so that when the fluid is placed in the openings formed by the needle, the liquid will evaporate after a short period of time, leaving a deposit which may readily be seen. After the mark has served its purpose, the same may easily be removed by brushing or washing the goods in a suitable solvent.

After the machine has been in use and it is desired to discontinue such use, provision is made to clean the hose and needle by applying air pressure thereto. To accomplish this, a second valved pipe line 51 connects the fluid storage reservoir above the liquid level with the outlet pipe 40 in advance of the valve 49. When it is desired to clean out the needle, the valve 49 is closed and the valved line 56 opened, the machine is then operated to open the automatic valve. This willpermit compressed air to blow through the hose line and needle, thoroughly cleansing the same of all.

traces of the marking fluid.

In the event agitation of the fluid in the reservoir is desired, the air under pressure may be introduced into the reservoir at a point near the bottom thereof. The air would then rise to the top of the fluid causing agitation thereof.

It is to be understood that while the needle and clamping head have been'illustrated as moving downward to engage the fabric, other directions of movement could equally well be used without loss of the operating principles set forth above. Also the mechanical construction of the various parts of the mechanism could be altered without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1.' A fabric marking machine comprising a support, a clamping head mounted for movement relative to said support, a hollow needle provided in connection with said clamping head, said needle being movable relative to said head, means for moving said head,.means for movingsaid needle, and valve controlled means for introducing fluid under pressure to said needle. I

2. A fabric marking machine comprising a support, a clamping head, means for moving said head toward said support, a hollow needle movable through said clamping head, means for moving said needle, and automatically controlled means for introducing fluid under pressure to said needle.

3. A fabric marking machine comprising a table, a clamping head supported for vertical movement above said table, foot operated means for moving'said clamping head, a hollow needle supported for vertical movement through said clamping head, hand operated means for moving said needle, and means for introducing fluid under pressure to said needle.

4. A- machine of the character described comprising a table, a spring elevated clamping head positioned for vertical movement above said table,

means for moving said head against the action of said spring, a spring elevated needle support positioned for vertical movement above said clamping head, a hollow needle provided at the lower end of said needle support, said needle being movable through said clamping head, means for moving said needle support against the action of its spring, and means for introducing fluid under pressure to said needle.

5. A fabric marking machine comprising a support for the fabric to be marked, a head for clamping said fabric against said support, a hollow needle movable relative to said head and support to penetrate said fabric, and means for introducing fluid under pressure to said needle.

6. A mechanism of the character described comprising a table, a bracket mounted on said table, a clamping head resiliently carried by said bracket in spaced relation from said table, foot operated means for moving said head toward said table, a hollow needle resiliently supported by said bracket, means for moving said needle relative to said head, a valved line connecting said needle with a source of marking fluid, and means positioned between the valve in said line and said head whereby relative movement between said needle and said head will operate said valve to control fluid flow to said needle.

connected with said needle, a pipe line connecting the inlet of said valve with a source of fluid under pressure, and means extending between said valve and said clamping head whereby relative movement between said needle and said clamping had will actuate said valve.

8. The method of marking a group of superposed layers of fabric which comprises placing the fabric on a support, clamping a localized area of thefabric against the support, piercing the of the fabric against the support with sufficient force to compress the layers, forming an aligned opening through each of the layers, and filling said aligned openings with a cream-like marking fluid.

10. A fabric marking machine comprising a support for the fabric to be marked, a head for clamping said fabric against said support, a

hollow needle movable relative to said head and support to penetrate said fabric, a source of sup-' ply of marking fluid connected with said needle, means for introducing compressed air to said fluid supply source to cause fluid flow to said needle, and valve means disposed between said fluid supply source and said needle to control fluid flow to the latter.

11. A fabric marking machine comprising a member, a clamping head movable toward and away from said member to apply holding pressure to the fabric to be marked, a hollow needle movable relative to said head and member, a

source of supply of marking fluid communicating with said needle, means for applying compressed air to said marking fluid to force it to said needle, valve means disposed between said fluid supply source and saidneedle to control fluid flow to the latter, said valve means being automatically operated by relative movement between said needle and said head.

' 12. A fabric marking machine comprising a frame, a table mounted on said frame to support the fabric to be marked, clamping head mechanism movably mounted in spaced relation from said table, a hollow needle supporting member movably carried by said clamping head, lever mechanism provided in connection with said frame, said lever mechanism being connected with said head and serving to move said head and needle support toward andaway from said table, a second lever mechanism connected with said needle supporting member for moving said member relative to said head, a source of marking fluid under pressure communicating with said needle, and valve means disposed between said fluid source and said needle, said valve means being operated by movement of said second lever mechanism.

WALTER G. WOLKAN. 

